I was involved in a rear ending accident a few weeks ago (my fault) and I just got the car back from the shop a few days ago. They had to replace both front fenders and front end with headlights. Everything seemed to be working OK, but today I needed to use the windshield washer and the left side isn't working. Right side works, but is very low pressure. It worked before the accident, so I am sure it is something that wasn't hooked up because the reservoir is located in the passenger side front fender. I figure maybe the driver's side washer became disconnected and they didn't reconnect it during the body work.
Does anyone have the schematics for the windshield washer on my vehicle? I'm pretty sure I can get the repair done for free at the body shop, but their hours aren't the best and I would probably need to leave it there for a day and figure out a way to get to work. Unfortunately, they don't have Saturday hours.
If the right side works (low pressure) but the left side doesn't work, everything is probably hooked-up correctly. The w/w tank and pump is in the fender well and can be accessed by removing the wheel and tire, and the fender liner (or laying under the car). Are you in an area with freezing temperature? Could the line and nozzle be partially frozen if proper fluid was not put in?
The pressure line runs along the passenger side of the fender, then under the cowl weatherstrip, where it spits and goes to each of the two nozzles. You can remove the two air inlet grills (follow instructions in manual on how to change HVAC passenger air filter) to check the nozzles.
I suspect the pump is weak and or damaged. The pump has an electrical connection and the fluid line connection. It is a press-fit into a grommet in the fluid tank.
You may want to use a helper, then disconnect the line where it passes through the cowl weatherstrip (hard plastic - use caution to not damage line. Operate the pump and see if the fluid comes out forcefullly, or still weak.
I do not have a diagram but it is easy to follow the lines.
(I used to own a 2008, 2011, & 2012 Impala LTZ - and now own a 2014 Impala 2LTZ).
did a little more troubleshooting. With the hood open I tried the washer and I noticed water trickling down the back of the drivers side wheel well. So the hose is there, just not connected. I may try removing the cowl or get the shop to do it.
The hard part about removing the cowl is removing the wipers. (Be sure and mark, or apply a strip of tape to, the windshield to make it easy to re-align the wiper arms.)
I've wrestled them off a few times, and more often than not, it's an exercise in cussing. Furthermore, I've caught myself prying on them. It's too easy to get in a hurry and use the glass as the fulcrum, before you realize the glass extends ~2-3" below the cowl. Fortunately, I've managed to catch myself without doing harm. I finally broke down and bought one of the removal tools. It's worth the ~20 bucks I gave for it.
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